Small Bright Flashlights - Recommendation

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networkn

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#303014 10-Jan-2023 14:04

Some of our household flashlights are getting long in the tooth and take proprietary batteries.

I thought I'd go through and replace with decent models that use standard batteries. I want something smallish (fits in your hand comfortably) and tough, but nice and bright.

I find Lumen ratings quite hard to judge as it seems manufacturers 'measure' them differently.

Ideally suitable for indoor and outdoor use though they don't need to be wilderness friendly, but Ok to take camping or something for my kids etc.

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#3019578 10-Jan-2023 14:19

I got a small torch from Kogan few years ago, extremely bright and does the job without chewing through the batteries, altho I usually only turn it on when needed, such as power outage etc. Have used it outside in rain as well with no problem.

Think is similar to this one.... altho I paid 2-3 times that at the time.

https://www.kogan.com/nz/buy/salelink-cree-q5-led-zoomable-focus-bright-flashlight-torch-220lm-light-32844713492559/

For the $$ I'm happy.

XPD / Gavin

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pih

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#3019579 10-Jan-2023 14:24

This may not tick many of your boxes, but I've found that you get a lot of torch for just 50 cents at Kmart.

They are incredibly (unbelievably) cheap, include batteries, are surprisingly bright and last at least one camping season, more if you keep batteries out when they're in storage. And for that price you could buy a dozen, hell even 30, and still come out on top over any branded torch on the market.

Let's not talk about today's totally disposable society...

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#3019661 10-Jan-2023 15:51

pih:

Let's not talk about today's totally disposable society...

This is nuts. It includes 3xAAA batteries which K-mart sell for about 0.27 each!

CokemonZ

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#3019664 10-Jan-2023 15:52

pih:

This may not tick many of your boxes, but I've found that you get a lot of torch for just 50 cents at Kmart.

They are incredibly (unbelievably) cheap, include batteries, are surprisingly bright and last at least one camping season, more if you keep batteries out when they're in storage. And for that price you could buy a dozen, hell even 30, and still come out on top over any branded torch on the market.

Let's not talk about today's totally disposable society...

Ditto this. I have a ton of them they are so cheap.

richms

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#3019668 10-Jan-2023 15:58

I just get cheap 18650 powered things when I see them. The cells I get from the solar light area at bunnings or mitre10 since they have an incentive to not sell ones that are crap and its not much more than no brand things. Low rated capacity but at least they are probably honest, unlike the 3200mAh lies on ones with fire in the name.

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#3019669 10-Jan-2023 15:59

CokemonZ:

pih:

Let's not talk about today's totally disposable society...

Ditto this. I have a ton of them they are so cheap.

I do the same with toasted sandwich makers from there. When too dirty to clean, it gets replaced. Terrible but it at least gets me another short mains cable and plug to use on something else.

Richard rich.ms

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jlittle

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#3019671 10-Jan-2023 16:03

"flashlight" is American English, and a misnomer if you mean a source of light. I wonder why you've used it.

Regards, John Little

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#3019673 10-Jan-2023 16:16

johno1234:

pih:

Let's not talk about today's totally disposable society...

This is nuts. It includes 3xAAA batteries which K-mart sell for about 0.27 each!

The batteries are very cheap quality (they even feel lighter), and are similar to the awful ones you'd find at a $2 shop, but they're good enough for a few days camping.

Get your business seen overseas - Nexus Translations

networkn

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#3019693 10-Jan-2023 17:12

jlittle: "flashlight" is American English, and a misnomer if you mean a source of light. I wonder why you've used it.

Did you have any trouble determining what I was referring to? If not then what's it to you?

I notice you didn't actually contribute to the answer.

richms

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#3019699 10-Jan-2023 17:45

People complaining about common expressions because they're often used in the US remind me of this

The Angry Photographer: aka 'Old Man Yells at Cloud' - Mark Galer

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#3019714 10-Jan-2023 18:45

On the other end of the scale, I bought one of these ZebraLight flashlights (hey, it's a US manufacturer!) many years ago (10?) and it's still my favourite camping torch. Paired with a single Eneloop AA, it packs a huge punch on the brightest setting and lasts for literally months (on continuously) on the lowest setting, akin to a night light. It has a wide flood beam (no spotlight, but that's generally what you want anyway when camping I've found). Brightness levels are programmable and easy to navigate, it includes a battery level indicator and lots more. Fully water proof (I've been swimming with it, no issues, can't say the same with some others that claim water resistance). Simply a great example of product design.

In terms of torches that use AA or AAA, they'd be my pick. Super cheap or super expensive!

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networkn

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#3019732 10-Jan-2023 19:16

When assessing things, is there a minimum or maximum number of lumens I need to be aiming for?

Handle9

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#3019744 10-Jan-2023 20:07

jlittle: "flashlight" is American English, and a misnomer if you mean a source of light. I wonder why you've used it.

Capitals letters are usually used when starting a sentence. I wonder why you haven't used it?

gzt

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#3019745 10-Jan-2023 20:07

No idea. I've had a few similar to the Kmart above with varying numbers of led and the classic dolphin brand with led. Imo brightness is not a huge issue - almost any led torch is blinding in the dark in a way in hat incandesant is not. I expect the art is in the reflector and lens choices, and circle diameter at your preferred target distances.

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#3019760 10-Jan-2023 20:40

My Fenix flashlight from Amazon.com is at least a decade old and still going strong. It takes 8 AA cells. Their newer ones seem to be rechargable with usb-c

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